Canada and Nigeria have expanded their bilateral air transport agreement, creating a regulatory framework for direct scheduled passenger and cargo flights between both countries.
The new arrangement allows airlines designated by either government to operate up to 14 passenger services and 10 cargo flights every week.
It also provides additional traffic rights for cargo operators, allowing qualifying airlines to serve other international destinations as part of services linked to their home country.
Canada’s Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the agreement would improve travel options while supporting tourism, trade and investment.
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said deeper air connectivity would also strengthen commercial links and bring Nigerian and Canadian communities closer together.
Nigeria has become an increasingly important air market for Canada because of expanding business ties, education links and a large Nigerian diaspora.
More than 25,000 Nigerians held Canadian study permits as of March 31, 2026.
Transport Canada said Nigeria was the country’s thirty eighth largest international air market in 2025 and its third largest bilateral aviation market in Africa, behind Morocco and Algeria.
Passenger demand between Nigeria and Canada has more than doubled over the past decade.
The original bilateral air agreement was negotiated in 2014 and signed in March 2025, but it was largely limited to code share arrangements.
The expanded framework now provides the basis for airlines to offer direct scheduled services once commercial and operational arrangements are completed.
Additional cargo capacity is also expected to support stronger merchandise trade and improve access for businesses in both countries.
Canada currently maintains air transport agreements or arrangements with more than 125 countries.
